Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2014

Dear AMA,

What exactly is the difference between J-league 1, 2 and 3, in terms of soccer player professionalism? —Footie Interest: Medium-rare

Dear Medium-rare,

We passed your query on to Dan Orlowitz, editor at Goal.com Japan. Here’s what he had to say…

“Like the rest of the world, Japan’s soccer leagues are organized in a pyramid, with the J-League occupying the top three levels and regional, prefectural, and local leagues below them.

Thanks to the system of promotion and relegation, it’s possible for a local team to advance from a city league to the J-League. That doesn’t make it easy, however—admission into the J-League requires that teams satisfy a variety of requirements ranging from stadium capacity and training facilities to academy systems and finances. The league awards different J1, J2 and J3 licenses. For example, a team with a J1 license can participate in the country’s top flight by earning promotion from the J2 in the previous season.

Unlike Europe, Japanese law prohibits clubs from revealing their players’ salaries. Of course, that doesn’t prevent the media from making educated guesses based on seniority and performance-based incentives such as league honors or national team appearances.

If you’re asking about the level of play, the J1 is widely considered to be one of Asia’s top leagues and boasts a number of top players, including many current and former Samurai Blue members.

The J2 isn’t nearly as technically talented as a league, but both Manchester United superstar Shinji Kagawa and the Brazil national football team’s Hulk (Givanildo Vieira de Souza) have played for J2 clubs in the past—so don’t discount them too quickly. Games in this league have lower attendances and are played in less modern stadia.

The J3 is more of a ‘development league’ for teams that hope to earn a J1 license in the future. Quality-wise the teams simply don’t match up to their European third division counterparts, but it’s nonetheless an entertaining way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”

Goal.com is the world’s largest soccer news site. www.goal.com. For more information on the J-League in English, visit https://www.facebook.com/goalxjleague

If you want to “Ask Metropolis Anything,” send your questions to askanything@metropolis.co.jp and we’ll find the most appropriate people to answer your queries.